Here’s How To Treat Heartburn Naturally

This article on how to treat heartburn naturally is aimed at revealing several ways this condition can be treated and managed.

Despite what the name suggests, heartburn has nothing to do with your mind. Rather, it’s a burning sensation in your chest that occurs when stomach acid moves back up into your esophagus (the 10-inch tube that connects your mouth to your stomach).

Heartburn can last from minutes to hours. Either way, it’s uncomfortable, so it’s no surprise if you’re looking for a method or way to get rid of that feeling quickly.

What causes heartburn and exactly how it feels?

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, stomach acid is necessary to break down the food you eat and is easily processed by your stomach. On the other hand, the esophagus is irritated.

A ring of muscle at the base of the tube called the lower esophageal sphincter acts as a valve to keep stomach acid (and digested food) in the stomach and out of the esophagus. When this valve loosens, food can enter the stomach.

When this valve contracts, it prevents food and acid from backing up into the esophagus.

When this valve relaxes abnormally, stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing acid reflux. Heartburn is the most common and obvious symptom.

Depending on how severe it is, symptoms of heartburn may include:

1.       A burning sensation in the chest behind the breastbone
2.       Burning pain up the throat
3.       Bitter or sour taste in the mouth

Acid reflux and heartburn may be caused by an underlying disorder or by the drugs you are taking. However, in most cases heartburn is caused by diet and lifestyle factors.

Regarding how to treat heartburn naturally, common heartburn triggers include:
1.       Overeating or eating too fast
2.       Early to bed after dinner early to rise
3.       Eating certain foods, such as caffeine, sodas, alcohol, peppermint, citrus fruits, tomato –  based products, chocolate, and fatty or spicy foods
4.       Get overweight
5.       Smoking
6.       Stress and anxiety

How To Treat Heartburn Naturally

If you want to avoid acid reflux and get rid of heartburn fast, here are ways to relieve or prevent it.
1.       Keep a food diary and avoid trigger foods

As mentioned earlier, certain foods and drinks can cause acid reflux and heartburn. Keeping a food and symptom log will help you identify the specific foods that are most likely to cause problems.

Once you identify them, avoid these foods and drinks whenever possible. This is one of the ways on how to treat heartburn naturally

2. Avoid overeating or eating too fast

Paying attention to portion sizes can be very helpful in preventing heartburn. Having a large amount of food in the stomach puts pressure on the valve that keeps stomach acid from entering the oesophagus, making acid reflux and heartburn more likely.

Eat more often. Eating too quickly can also cause heartburn, so take your time and chew your food and drink slowly.

3. Avoid eating late, snacking before bed, and eating before exercise
Lying down on a full stomach can cause acid reflux and worsen heartburn symptoms. Avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime to give your stomach enough time to empty.

You can also wait at least two hours before exercising.

4. Eat Alkaline Foods like Ripe Bananas
Another one on how to treat heart naturally is eating alkaline foods like ripe bananas. The high potassium content in bananas makes them a fairly basic food.

Nevertheless, disclaimer:
Unripe bananas are less alkaline and less starchy, and can actually cause acid reflux in some people. Be sure to choose ripe bananas. Other alkaline foods that can help balance heartburn include melons, cauliflower, fennel, and nuts.

5. Wear loose clothing
If you are prone to heartburn, a tight belt or clothing that compresses your abdomen may cause symptoms.

6. Adjust your sleeping position
Regarding how to treat heartburn naturally, elevating your head and chest above your feet while you sleep helps prevent and relieve acid reflux and heartburn. To do this, place a foam wedge under the mattress or raise the bedpost with a wooden block.

Keep in mind that stacking pillows is usually ineffective and can make symptoms worse.

Additionally, sleeping on your left side is thought to aid digestion and help limit acid reflux.

7. If you are overweight, take steps to lose weight
Being overweight puts extra pressure on your stomach, increasing your risk of acid reflux and heartburn. A balanced diet and 150 minutes of physical activity per week are the first two steps to maintaining a healthy weight and shedding excess pounds.

8. Quit if you smoke
If you smoke and you really want to know how to treat heartburn naturally, understand that smoking reduces the amount of saliva produced and affects the effectiveness of the valve that keeps stomach acid from entering the oesophagus.

Both increase the chance of heartburn. Stopping smoking reduces the frequency and severity of acid reflux, and in some cases, even eliminates it.

9. Reduce stress
Reducing stress is one of the ways on how to treat heartburn naturally. Chronic stress takes a physical toll on your body, including slowed digestion and increased sensitivity to pain. The longer food stays in your stomach, the more likely it is that acid will reflux.

In addition, increased sensitivity to pain makes the searing pain of heartburn more intense. Stress reduction measures can help prevent or reduce the effects of acid reflux and heartburn.

What should I do if I have severe or frequent heartburn?

For mild heartburn, over-the-counter drugs, such as antacids and histamine blockers, can help relieve symptoms. Before taking any antacid or histamine blocker, always read the product label and do not take more or more often than directed.

If heartburn occurs frequently, talk to your doctor before taking heartburn medications regularly. These drugs can interfere with many other drugs and affect underlying conditions.

Call your doctor if you experience severe heartburn or if heartburn persists or worsens after you take steps to relieve it. In some cases, heartburn can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or possibly side effects of medications you are taking.

 

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